Prague: Walk from train to hotel?

I was in the same position last year and choosen to have my hotel arrange a private transfer from the train station, it was much better than trying to navigate the streets in the dark after a long train journey. My train from Berlin was about an hour late too, the transfer company had checked the status of the train and were there waiting for me. The transfer was very reasonably price. Whether you take public transport is entirely up to you, there is a metro station connected to the train station. WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE TO DO, DO NOT USE A TAXI FROM A TOUT AT THE TRAIN STATION, YOU'L BE RIPPED OFF.

Where is your hotel? The tram could be an easy option. As for walking, the streets were fairly easy to navigate (unless jet-lag morning seeing them for the first time) if you have a good map, such as Borch series Prague map.
At 1.7 km from the train, this sounds like you are just across the Vltava in the Little Quarter, and this is actually a straightforward path. The Google-map twists are really obvious at street level, and intersections are well-signed.

We're north east of the Old Town, close to the river. I like the idea of having the hotel send a car. We're generally walk or use public transportation, but I think I can justify the splurge this time. Thanks for the tips!

I would suggest taking the metro, and having a good map with you. If you know where your hotel is relative to the metro it makes it a lot easier to find it. I would agree that you should avoid taxis. We took the metro to get a lot closer to our hotel and still found the twists and turns somewhat challenging. If you do take the metro, be aware that you have to buy a ticket for your larger bags, too. (Not required for small bags, but ask at the ticket window to be sure if your carry-on qualifies to travel for free.)

It is very easy to go from the train to the metro. There is a TI office (open until around 10 pm) in the station where you can buy metro tickets and passes in local or foreign currency.

NE of Old Town, near the river? The Metro is no saving. The 5 tram can take you most of the way there, but you still have half of the distance walking to and from the tram stops. But having stayed in that area last year and having walked between the Hastal (Hastalske Square) and the train station, I really believe this is not a difficult route to follow nor unsafe (and safer than a cab!).
And, if you have the time and want to splurge, you can take a stop for refreshment at the Municipal House.

Great information! The 5 tram gets us almost there, and if the TI can help us get started in the right direction with the right tickets it shouldn't be a problem.

I do not recall if there is a TI in the train station - but there is without doubt a Tabak or other similar stand where you can purchase tram tickets there. You only need the 18 ck 20 minute ticket, not the full 26 ck one. (note-prices from 2010, do not know if they have risen)

I arrived in Prague on the train from Vienna in May 2010. It was around 9 pm on a weekday, and the TI office was open. I wasn't even looking for one, but there were signs, so I stopped in.

I found the area around the train station, a public park, to be a bit sketchy and poorly lit.

The park in front of the station is called Sherwood Forest by locals. Apparently not without reason.

To go from the train to the metro, you never leave the building. I did see several policemen patroling inside the station.

Michelle, I'd suggest either using the Metro (if that will get you close to the Hotel) or use the suggestion in the Guidebook regarding getting a Taxi across from the train station. DO NOT use the Taxi's that reside at the station (I believe Rick calls the Drivers "no neck Mafia Thugs" in the Guidebook). Having the Hotel send a driver is also a good option. Prague has somewhat of a "reputation" for pickpockets and scammers, but I didn't have any problems in that regard. However there are sometimes "subtle scams" that aren't readily apparent, such as the restaurant that adds a fee to the bill for the Accordion player, which tends to go unnoticed when customers pay for dinner. Prague is a city with a lot of interesting sights, and hopefully the weather will be better for you than it was on my recent trip there. Happy travels!